Policy brief: COVID-19: safeguarding food systems and promoting healthy diets.

Policy brief : Global Panel. 2020. COVID-19: safeguarding food systems and promoting healthy diets. Policy Brief No. 14. London, UK: Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition. (June 2020, 15 pages)

This brief focuses on the profound impacts the pandemic has already had on food systems and people’s diets during 2020. It sets out key decisions and actions which are needed to ensure that food systems can continue to function effectively, recover quickly from the present crisis, and build their resilience and effectiveness for the future. Its primary focus is on low- and middle-income countries.

The Global Panel is an independent group of influential experts with a commitment to tackling global challenges in food and nutrition security. It works to ensure that agriculture and food systems support access to nutritious foods at every stage of life.

Extract of the report

In Uganda 76% of 147 businesses surveyed reported reducing their workforce because of the risks associated with COVID-19 and lockdown measures, with the agricultural sector being the most affected.11 Estimates suggest that if the pandemic conditions persist for six months, 3.8 million people in Uganda will lose their jobs temporarily, partly due to the shutdown of tourism and subsequent fall in hotel demand for foods like chicken and salads, while 600,000 are expected to lose their jobs permanently. (...) In May, a survey in Uganda suggested that 58% of micro-, 27.7% of small- and 8.3% of medium-sized businesses would have to close in the next three months if the situation did not improve.11 If these enterprises go out of business, vital linkages in food systems may be lost.  Policy Brief page 6 + 7

Virtual launch

The report was launched during the VIRTUAL CONFERENCE of the Agriculture Nutrition and Health Academy

Patrick Webb - Tufts University and Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition - presented the Global Panel. 2020. Policy Brief No. 14.  

I feel that any intervention set needs to pay attention to buffering and sustaining the many non-formal actors in food chains, including micro- and SMEs. That involves quick loans, debt relief, information, etc. Nothing new, but essential.

I believe all nations need to be more self-critical of their food trade policies (whether aimed at openness (Thailand) or closeness (Democratic People's Republic of Korea). Trade policies need to be considered as 'novel' instruments that can support (or hinder) effective access to healthy diets locally.  So, let's avoid mantras and absolutes and consider 'how' food markets can play better roles in nurturing people not just feeding them.

We're poorly equipped, let alone ready, to enhance resilience of food systems in the context of a climate crisis (what has not gone away).  Much needs to be done.